NCJ Number
116151
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1989) Pages: 90-101
Date Published
1989
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Data from a national sample of 2,500 males formed the basis of a test of the hypotheses that the relationship between perceived occupational opportunity and delinquency would be rather strong for lower-class blacks, somewhat less for lower-class whites, and small to insignificant for higher-status whites and blacks.
Abstract
Study data had been collected in the mid-1970's from youths in grades 7 through 12 in 9 sites. Both door-to-door and school surveys were used to include dropouts from each site. Participants completed the Youth Needs Assessment questionnaire, that was designed to provide baseline data concerning the problems of youth. Measures included socioeconomic status, blocked opportunities, and self-reported delinquency. The four groups scored similarly on self-reported delinquency and in their perceived opportunity to achieve the job they desired. The lower-class youths may have perceived no more blocked opportunity than did higher-status youths because they aspired to less prestigious jobs. Findings supported all of the hypotheses except the prediction for lower-class whites. The analysis showed a moderate relationship between perceived occupational opportunities and delinquency for lower-class blacks but not for any of the other groups, including lower-class whites. Tables, note, and 20 references.